Rays Boathouse

I find it odd that people give this place 3 stars. If you're not going to give this place 5 stars then you may as well return to whatever fairytale land you're from because this place really is as good as it gets.

That said...

Ray's is a place I love to take my bay area parents to so I can impress the pants off them on how we do it up here in Seattle. Then I'm reminded each time that this place would be a spectacular date place. If you do want to come here, look up when sunset is, and make reservations around then. Most all the restaurant faces the sound and you get a stunning view of both the sound and the Olympics as the sun drifts behind them (likely behind some clouds as well).

The service is always impeccable here. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgable and available without seeming desperate. They seem to have that fine line well marked and they walk it well.

The place overall focuses (not exclusively) on local which is awesome. So there is a healthy selection of local microbrews, local wines, and many of the drinks are made from local spirits from the region. I'll say they have some intriguing drinks on the menu. Classics, and inspirations of classics. They're certainly keeping up with current mixology trends. The place even makes their own tonic. The humble G&T gets a makeover with their own hand-made tonic base.

Finally the food. The menu emphasizes seafood, but you can of course usually get steak here. I think I went with a salmon and clams dish when I was here. My wife got the sablefish. This is one of those places that really makes me wonder how they do it. Fish is perfectly cooked. Presentation is gorgeous, and the flavor is better than anything I've had anywhere else.

Of course you get what you pay for here. This isn't a diner. If you're going to a place to for this sort of experience, it is money well spent. However, the last time I was there the house chardonnay was $4 glass, and very good a that. I don't remember the last time I only paid that little for chardonnay so good. So there are notable exceptions.

If you want a place to pleasantly surprise some guests, or friends. In town, or out I highly recommend Ray's. I've never been disappointed here.

Not too bad.  Came by for lunch.  Started off with a variety of a dozen oysters, most were tasty if a bit on the small side.  Maybe it's just because I'm used to the big, plump gulf oysters.  The fish and chips was a generous portion of nicely battered cod, although it was little bland.  The fries were good.  Wife had a chicken sandwich which she said was decent.  Service was outstanding and the views were spectacular.  I was just a little underwhelmed with the food.

take 2

after receiving a wonderfully delightful note from management, i couldn't resist the temptation to give Ray's another shot.  So my boyfriend and I decided we'll go to rays on a warm sunny day.  

We got there a little early, so we decided to hit happy hour at the bar.  With the beautiful view upstairs, we decided to just stay at the bar for dinner.  

I know that i'm comparing the bar food to the meal downstairs, but if not for the view, i don't know if i'll come here again.  They're great, but the service was a bit... off (which was surprising considering that the service i received downstairs and from management was superb) and the food was... wilting.  maybe it was the hot weather? but the fries were mushy and the burger... meh.  then again, i did have some of the best burgers lately (daddy o's in olympia and peter luger in new york) so maybe my scope of tastiness is a bit off?

either way, i'm glad i wasn't heaving and i'm thankful for the management staff cajoling me into giving ray's a second chance.  it was pleasant enough for three stars